Minutes With Michael

The Courage To Stand Alone

By Michael Farris, President and CEO

Less than two years after I graduated from law school, I received a call from a local leader who asked me a fateful question.

“Mike,” she began, “Congress just passed a bill extending the time for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment by a little over three years. What do you think about that?”

“Dottie, I think it is unconstitutional,” I answered.

“So, what are you going to do about it?” she asked — and it wasn’t really a question or a suggestion. It was more like a command.

A few weeks later, I filed the first lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the purported extension of the deadline for the ERA.

Our political opponents went to the Washington State Bar Association with a resolution urging a boycott on travel to any state that had not ratified the ERA. The resolution was to be debated at the annual convention.

The speaker who introduced the resolution on the convention floor was the chief counsel for the Washington Education Association — the teachers’ union. She was backed by several other speakers, including past presidents of the state bar association.

I alone spoke in opposition to the resolution. I was young. I was scared. I was alone.

But I knew that the ERA advanced abortion, LGBT ideology, and a host of other bad ideas, so I had no choice. I had to stand.

The vote was taken. And to everyone’s shock, my side won the vote. Even though I was the only one

Jack didn’t know who was with him. But it was pretty clear who was against him. And he stood. He stood strong. ‘‘

Michael Farris

willing to take a stand, there were more who agreed with me than anyone expected.

Similarly, Colorado cake artist Jack Phillips stood alone when he made the decision not to violate his commitment to God. He knew he couldn’t, in good conscience, design a custom wedding cake to celebrate a same-sex marriage.

Jack didn’t know who was with him. But it was pretty clear who was against him. And he stood. He stood strong.

A host of people, including ADF’s litigation team and our wonderful Ministry Friends, have stood with Jack through all the years of battle. And many thousands of others who are allied in spirit have also prayed and encouraged him in countless ways.

Jack stood for himself. But in reality he was standing for all of us. And many have understood that.

His courage is contagious. His story deserves to be known in depth. I encourage you to read Jack’s new book, The Cost of My Faith, not simply to learn more about this faithful man, but to encourage and equip you when it is your time to stand. The Cost of My Faith is available through major booksellers.